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Warehouseman crushed while unloading pipe from a trailer.

On May 19, 1999 a 31-year old male warehouseman was crushed while unloading a bundle of pipe from a 20-foot platform trailer. The warehouseman (the victim), working alone, was standing on the ground next to the side of the trailer. He had cut several bands securing the separate layers or tiers of pipe to the trailer when a single bundle either - 1) shifted and fell off the trailer or 2) was pushed off when the top bundle collapsed between the bundles underneath it. The bundle struck the victim as it fell, knocking the victim to the ground. A customer exiting the company building heard the load crash to the ground and crossed the parking lot to the trailer's location. The victim was lying on the ground beneath the pipes. The customer went back into the store to notify workers and call medical emergency services (EMS). Coworkers lifted the pipes off the victim and began CPR. The victim was transported to a nearby medical center, and he died shortly thereafter from his injuries. Based on the findings of the investigation, to prevent similar occurrences, employers should: 1. Ensure a competent person inspects all incoming freight before accepting the shipment; 2. Ensure workers are capable of recognizing and avoiding hazardous situations and develop and implement a warehouse training program that includes, but is not limited to, loading/unloading procedures; 3. Ensure that warehousemen follow prescribed work practices for loading and unloading shipments and enforce a comprehensive safety program; 4. Follow a standardized practice for securing stacked or tiered materials to pallets or skids.